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Multilingual Electronic Newsletter – Kagoshima

Southern Wind Tidings (Vol. 151)

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Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) Column A Calming, Healing Experience

Kim Hyojin (South Korea)

The A-Z of Kagoshima’s International Relations Courtesy Visit from Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary from the Republic of San

Marino

Kagoshima Seasonal Tourism Information Koshikijima Islands, Koshiki Ohashi Bridge

Kagoshima Specialty Products

“Keep for a Century” Satsuma Tea Canister

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○Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) Column ○

● A Calming, Healing Experience ●

Kim Hyojin (South Korea)

Hello everyone.

In the blink of an eye it is already October, and there are just two months left in the year. This year,

there might be a lot of people who felt that time passed quickly compared to other years. New

experiences such as Covid-19, heavy rains and natural disasters have worn down our mental and

physical strength. Exactly at such times, we should smile and overcome this as “All Kagoshima”!

The other day, we went for a drive tour for the first time in a while. Drive tours are organised regularly

by my workplace, the prefectural government’s PR & Tourism Strategy department. Through these

tours, we build friendships while also visiting the tourist attractions in the prefecture. This year,

heeding the requests to refrain from going out in light of Covid-19, the tours were postponed many

times. After much careful consideration, they have finally resumed.

This time, the tour centred on Shibushi City, and I would like to talk about the thing which left the

greatest impression on me.

After visiting Yamamiya Shrine, which had a huge camphor tree, and the city-designated cultural

heritage site Yamanaka Residence, we went to Daiji-ji Temple to experience Zen meditation.

Daiji-ji Temple was built in the Muromachi

period (1336 – 1573), and temporarily

abandoned due to haibutsu kishaku (lit:

"abolish Buddhism and destroy Shākyamuni",

a movement to expel Buddhism from Japan)

in the year Meiji 2 (1869). However, it was

rebuilt on the site of the former Daiji-ji Temple

cemetery and remains until today.

Shibushi Kurobuta Zanmai Ricebowl

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One can experience Zen meditation at this temple. As a newcomer to Zen meditation, Daiji-ji Temple

was what I was looking forward to the most. We followed the guidance of the head priest and

meditated for about 15 minutes. The way to do it is as follows.

First, sit cross-legged, putting your right foot on your left thigh, and then your left foot on your

right thigh. (those that cannot do this can sit cross-legged or in seiza, the traditional Japanese

way)

Next, place your left hand on top of your right hand near your belly, forming an oval shape.

And then, straighten your back and breathe through your nose.

We followed the head priest’s count of “O-ne, T-wo…” as we aligned our breathing. All sorts of stray

thoughts filled my head and I was not able to concentrate. Even so, I did my very best not to receive

a beating from the head priest, and sometimes the mosquitoes drew near… Even so, I corrected my

posture and focused on my breathing once again. As I did so, I could clearly feel the wind in the

mountains and hear the crowing of roosters.

I was most moved by the head priest’s words “If you can realise just one new thing, it would be

enough.” It is not just receiving instruction, but coming up with your own answers. Hmm. Perhaps I

already have my answers, but I just don’t

work towards them…

This had been a calming, healing experience.

I would like to continue living with these

teachings in my heart!

In the information of Daiji-ji Temple, the

following is written.

“Treasures are not to be sought faraway, but

within ourselves.”

Kuninomatsubara (Quasi National Park)

View from a 17m high wooden observation tower-cum-playground

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○The A-Z of Kagoshima’s International Relations ○

● Courtesy Visit from Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary from the

Republic of San Marino●

Gr. Cr. Prof. Manlio Cadelo, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the Republic

of San Marino in Japan, paid me a courtesy visit.

Ambassador Manlio offered his congratulations for my inauguration as Governor, and also made a

donation to improve the prefectural administration. We spoke about Ms. FUJIYAMA Kuniko, who was also

in attendance. She is the first Japanese woman to be conferred the Order of Saint Agatha by the Republic

of San Marino. We also spoke about “Bernado the Japanese”, who travelled with Saint Francis Xavier from

Kagoshima to Europe in the 16th century.

Through our conversation, I was struck by Ambassador Manlio’s spirit of enquiry and erudition, and had a

renewed appreciation of Kagoshima’s charms.

I am also very happy that fellow Kagoshima-born Special Advisor Fujiyama was conferred the award, and

I hope to continue working with these two people, who bridge the Republic of San Marino and Japan, as

well as Kagoshima Prefecture.

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○ Kagoshima Seasonal Tourism Information ○

●Koshikijima Islands, Koshiki Ohashi Bridge ●

Koshiki Ohashi Bridge is a 1533-metre long bridge that connects Naka-Koshiki island and Shimo-Koshiki

island of the Koshikijima islands, which are west of mainland Kagoshima. Construction work began in 2011,

and the bridge opened on 29 August 2020. Together with the Daimyojin Bridge and Kanoko Bridge, which

connect Kami-Koshiki island to Naka-Koshiki island, the three islands of Koshikijima are now connected

by land, realising the islanders’ desire for “One Koshiki”.

Hereon, it is expected that the medical and disaster support system will be improved and fishery resources

will be utilised for further regional development. In addition, as travel between islands will now be

unaffected by time or weather, it will be possible to tour tourist spots around the island designated as a

quasi-national park, as well as infrastructure tourists who come to see Koshiki Ohashi Bridge itself, which

is the longest bridge in the prefecture. It is expected that the number of tourists will increase due to such

tours.

The prefectural government will also continue to work together with the locals to revitalise the Koshikijima

region.

Koshiki Ohashi Bridge (View from Shimo-

Koshiki Island)

Front: Disused Torinosu Lighthouse

Koshiki Ohashi Bridge

(Looking from Naka-Koshiki Island towards

Shimo-Koshiki Island)

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Location and Tourism Spots of Koshikijima

About Koshikijima’s Tourism

Previously, to travel around both Kami-Koshiki island and Shimo-Koshiki Island, one had to go by

scheduled boat (both ferries and high-speed boats run twice a day), but the opening of Koshiki Ohashi

Bridge allows people to enjoy travelling around much easier by car (30 minute one-way trip from Sato to

Kashima).

Koshikijima can be reached via high-speed boat departing from Satsumasendai City’s Sendai Harbor, or

via ferry from Kushikino Shin Port in Ichikikushikino City.

Besides Nagame no Hama Outlook, from which you can experience the mysteries of nature, as well as

the scenic Kashima Cliffs, where 100-200m cliffs run on for approximately 16km, Koshikijima is also home

to the Satsumasendai Public Office Kashima Branch Office Fossil Exhibition, where precious fossils found

in Koshikijima’s Himenoura Group were discovered.

In addition, you can enjoy seafood that you cannot taste anywhere else, at restaurants that serve seafood

caught in the waters near Koshiki Island. For details, please see the tourist information site below.

Koshikijima Tourism Information

Kagoshima Prefectural Visitors Bureau

https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/koshiki-sight-seeing/

ISLAND-WIDE TOURING NOW

POSSIBLE

Increase in tourist numbers

Regional revitalisation through tourism

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Nagame no Hama Outlook

(Kami-Koshiki Island)

Kashima Cliffs

(Shimo-Koshiki Island)

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○ Kagoshima Specialty Products ○

● “Keep for a Century” Satsuma Tea Canister ●

~ 2019 Kagoshima New Special Product Competition~

Crafts and Livingware Category, Kagoshima Trade Association Chairman’s Award

￥25,000 (tax excl.) / 50g

Utilising the high sealability of tin containers, you can store coffee, tea, or even supplements inside. The

container comes in colourful designs so you can easily differentiate the contents.

Satsuma Tinware Crafts Museum Iwakiri Bikodo, Pte. Ltd.

4 Chome-18-2 Kokubuchuo, Kirishima, Kagoshima 899-4332

TEL: 0995-45-0117

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Kagoshima Prefectural Government Website

www.pref.kagoshima.jp/

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Editor’s Note (International Affairs Division, Kagoshima Prefectural Government)

I also participated in the tour mentioned in the Coordinator of International Relations’ column. Just like Kim,

the head priest’s berating voice made me nervous, but after the Zen meditation was over, I had a curious

feeling that my senses had been sharpened.

Osaki Town’s Kuninomatsubara left the deepest impression on me. Selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best

Beaches with White Sands and Green Pines, the quasi-national park also has facilities for tents and

bungalows. From the observation tower, you can see millions of pine trees, as well as the sea and windmills

in the distance. It was a spectacular sight!

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What did you think of this month’s Kagoshima Southern Wind Tidings?

The editors will continue to strive to make this prefectural multilingual newsletter a source of information

and a bridge to connect all of you to Kagoshima.

Kagoshima’s Southern Wind Tidings is looking for the following content:

Kagoshima photo gallery

Please send us photos that remind you of Kagoshima, or pictures of Kagoshima you might have seen

overseas. Please attach a brief caption (e.g. A mountain of volcanic-ash bags).

Knowledge about life in Kagoshima

Please share with us information about life in Kagoshima (e.g. a delicious way of eating fried fish cakes,

or how to deal with volcanic ash).

We also welcome any other information that you would like to share with our readership.

▲▽▲▽ Inquiries▲▽▲▽

International Affairs Division, PR and Tourism Strategy Department

Kagoshima Prefectural Government

10-1 Kamoike-shinmachi, Kagoshima City, Japan 890-8577

TEL 81-99-286-2306 | FAX +81-99-286-5522

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